Report: Hassan Whiteside Wants to Re-Sign With Heat

After making $981,348 in 2015-2016, free agent center Hassan Whiteside can end up making over $20 million annually in 2016-2017 if the 26-year-old big man chooses to go after a maximum level contract.

Whiteside’s 2015-2016 team, the Miami Heat will have a hard time figuring out how much to pay Whiteside while taking care of other free agents in Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson, but according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Whiteside wants to re-sign with the Heat, as long as the two sides agree financially:

My understanding, reiterated in recent days, is if all things are equal financially, Whiteside wants to re-sign with Miami. He likes living here and likes the organization.

But we’ve repeatedly heard the Heat’s preference is persuading him to sign under the max (projected to be $21.6 million next season) by selling him on the lack of state income tax, his comfort level here, the roster flexibility created by him taking a bit less; and that Miami can offer 7.5 percent annual raises off the first year salary (compared with 4.5 percent elsewhere). That means a four-year deal starting at $20.7 million with Miami would equal a four-year deal starting at $21.6 million elsewhere.